Report on the work of the 2021 Affordable Housing Investment Benchmarks Working Group

While the group did not have time to consider the criteria which should be applied when appraising project proposals which are seeking investment in excess of the relevant Affordable Housing Investment Benchmark, it is recommending that the principle of flexibility to award grant in excess of the relevant benchmark assumption should be maintained – and that this should be applied consistently across all geographies (in line with current Scottish Government operating procedures).  Any grant applicant that requires grant in excess of the relevant benchmark assumption should – with the support of the relevant local authority – continue to apply for this, and should engage as early as possible with the relevant grant provider to ensure that consideration and agreement of costs can be expedited.